Chronic Pain & Mental Health: Global Study Findings
- A thorough analysis of over 375 studies reveals a strong link between chronic pain and mental health disorders.
- Researchers identified women, younger adults, and individuals with fibromyalgia as being especially vulnerable.
- Rachel Aaron,Ph.D., assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of medicine, emphasized the importance of integrated treatments.
A groundbreaking study reveals a significant connection: chronic pain substantially impacts depression and anxiety. The Johns Hopkins medicine analysis of over 375 studies found 40% of adults with chronic pain also experience clinically significant mental health issues. Women, younger adults, and those with fibromyalgia are at higher risk, highlighting the urgent need for integrated treatments. Routinely screen for both chronic pain and depression in clinical settings. Rachel Aaron emphasizes the importance of combined approaches, as current treatments are frequently enough siloed. This critical public health concern, researched across 50 countries from 2013 to 2023, necessitates immediate action. The study found that the clinical symptoms of both depression and anxiety were prevalent in these patients. Keep up with these findings at News Directory 3, where we’ll have more on this topic soon. Discover what’s next as experts advocate for improved patient outcomes.
Study: Chronic Pain Plays Important Role in Depression and Anxiety
Updated June 20, 2025
A thorough analysis of over 375 studies reveals a strong link between chronic pain and mental health disorders. The Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that 40% of adults suffering from chronic pain also experience clinically significant depression and anxiety. the research, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights a critical public health concern.
Researchers identified women, younger adults, and individuals with fibromyalgia as being especially vulnerable. The study underscores the need for routine screening for depression and anxiety in clinical settings where chronic pain is treated.
Rachel Aaron,Ph.D., assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of medicine, emphasized the importance of integrated treatments. “Right now, we have effective psychological treatments for depression and anxiety, and effective psychological treatments for chronic pain, but these treatments are often siloed,” Aaron said. She added that many clinical trials exclude people with both chronic pain and mental health issues, stressing the need for combined approaches.
The analysis, which examined data from 347,468 patients across 50 countries between 2013 and 2023, considered factors such as age, gender, geographic location, and pain duration. The average age of patients studied was 52.
The study found that clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety were present in 39% and 40% of chronic pain patients,respectively. Diagnoses based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) showed lower rates: major depressive disorder (37%), persistent depressive disorder (6%), general anxiety disorder (17%), panic disorder (8%), and social anxiety disorder (2%).
Researchers noted that psychological distress and adverse life experiences increase the risk for chronic nociplastic pain, a condition arising from altered pain signal processing in the brain and spinal cord.
What’s next
Experts advocate for innovative treatments that together address chronic pain, depression, and anxiety to improve patient outcomes. Increased screening in clinical settings is also crucial.